Watthour meter socket adapter with auxiliary component mounts

ABSTRACT

A support supports an auxiliary component, like a circuit board, in a non-interferingly manner with electrical contacts in a watthour meter socket adapter housing. In one aspect, slots are formed in posts and receive opposed ends of the circuit board. An end support post having an outwardly projecting, downwardly inclined top surface provides a snap connection of the circuit board to the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/38,480 filed Dec. 15, 2000, which is a continuation andcontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/327,022, filed Jun. 7, 1999, now abandoned. The entire contents ofboth applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates, in general, to electrical watthourmeters and, specifically, to watthour meter mounting enclosures orsocket adapters.

[0004] 2. Description of the Art

[0005] Electrical power is supplied to an individual site or service byexternal electrical power line conductors located above or below ground.In a conventional arrangement, electrical power line conductors areconnected to terminals in a watthour meter socket mounted on a buildingwall. Electrical load conductors are connected to another set ofterminals in the meter socket and extend to the electrical distributionnetwork in the building. A watthour meter is connected to both pairs ofterminals in the meter socket to measure the electric power drawnthrough the load conductors.

[0006] Due to the current trend toward the use of plug-in watthourmeters, A to S type socket adapters have been devised which convertA-base type bottom connected watthour meter sockets to receive plug-inwatthour meters. Another type of socket adapter has been devised whichallows the installation of other devices between the watthour metersocket and a plug-in watthour meter.

[0007] Such socket adapters employ a generally annular base having ashell joined thereto and extending outward from one side of the base.Jaw contacts are mounted in the shell and base. Each jaw contact has afemale jaw portion disposed interiorly within the shell and a male bladeterminal connected to the female jaw portion and extending outwardthrough the base for plug-in connection to the terminals in the metersocket housing.

[0008] In previous watthour meter socket adapters, the jaw contacts wereof two different constructions. In one construction, the jaw contactshave a folded over design formed of a base wall fixedly mounted by afastener to the shell of the socket adapter and two spaced sidewallsextending therefrom. The outer ends of the sidewalls are folded overinwardly between the sidewalls and terminate in parallel end flangeswhich slidably receive a blade terminal of a watthour meter. A bladeterminal is usually fixedly connected to the base wall of the jawcontact for connection to jaw contact in a meter socket.

[0009] In the second construction, the jaw contacts are formed of agenerally planar terminal having opposed first and second ends. Anangularly bent spring clip is riveted at one end to an intermediateportion of the terminal and extends to a contact edge disposed inseparable engagement with the first end of the terminal to form a jawfor receiving the blade terminal of a watthour meter. The spring clipforcibly biases the watthour meter terminal into secure electricalengagement with the terminal. The second end of the blade terminalextends exteriorly from the base of the watthour meter socket adapterfor releasable engagement in a socket jaw contact. A cotter pin isinserted through an intermediate aperture in the terminal to fixedlymount the terminal and jaw contact in position in the watthour metersocket adapter.

[0010] In certain applications, such as automatic metering, surgesuppression, etc., it is necessary to mount one or more circuit boardsin the socket adapter housing. Such circuit boards must be mounted in amanner so as not to interfere with the slide-in connection of the meterblade terminals with the jaw contacts in the socket adapter. In order tomount such circuit boards in prior socket adapters, modifications to thesocket adapter housing were typically necessary.

[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,023,747 and 5,572,396 disclose circuit boardsmounted in close proximity to or directly on the base wall of a watthourmeter socket adapter. The circuit boards have planar electricallyconductive extensions with a slot therein which overlays an aperture inthe base wall and receives a blade terminal or contact in a watthourmeter socket adapter to electrically connect the contact and theelectrical elements carried on the circuit board. While the circuitboards shown in these patents do not necessarily require modification tothe socket adapter housing, the planar extensions which receive the jawcontact therethrough consume a considerable amount of space within thesocket adapter housing. This poses a problem due to the limited amountof available space within a conventional socket adapter housing andlimits the overall size and, therefore, the amount of circuitry that canbe mounted on a circuit board.

[0012] Thus, it would be desirable to provide a watthour meter socketadapter which includes means for conveniently mounting one or morecircuit boards in the housing in a non-interfering position with respectto the jaw blades of the socket adapter. It would also be desirable toprovide a watthour meter socket adapter which includes means formounting one or more circuit boards in the socket adapter housing inengagement with a safety shield mounted in the socket adapter housing.It would also be desirable to provide a watthour meter socket adapterwhich includes a number of separate circuit board supports which may beemployed to mount one or more circuit boards in a number of differentpositions within the socket adapter housing. It would also be desirableto provide a unique circuit board for use in a watthour meter socketadapter which is capable of receiving an external blade terminal. Itwould also be desirable to provide a circuit board construction for usein a watthour meter socket adapter which enables the circuit board toautomatically and, specifically, the circuit or components on thecircuit board make an electrical connection to one of the contactsmounted within the socket adapter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is a watthour meter socket adapter havingunique means for mounting one or more auxiliary components, like circuitboards, in a non-interfering position with respect to the jaw blades orcontacts of the socket adapter.

[0014] According to the present invention, a support is carried on thehousing.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of posts are mountedon the base of the socket adapter housing and support a circuit board inan orientation generally parallel to the base of the socket adapterhousing.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the support is inthe form of aligned pairs of tubular support posts carried on the baseand projecting outward therefrom for receiving a circuit board in agenerally perpendicular position relative to the base.

[0017] In another aspect, an end support member is disposed adjacent toeach pair of support posts and includes an outer projecting lip on aninclined end to snap mount the circuit board in the housing.

[0018] In another aspect, one of the pins of each pair of pins is formedwith a shorter height relative to the base wall for supporting a circuitboard in conjunction with the other pin of each pair as well as the endsupport pin in a generally parallel orientation with respect to thebase.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the invention, the support is in theformed of aligned pairs of tubular support posts carried on the base andprojecting outward from the base. Each support has a sidewalldiscontinuity opening to a through bore extending through the support orpost. The discontinuity and open end of the through bore enable thecircuit board to be inserted between aligned pairs of supports in agenerally perpendicular orientation with respect to the base wall of thesocket adapter housing. The open end of the through bore also enablesfasteners to be inserted through aligned apertures in a circuit boardoriented generally parallel to the base wall of the socket adapterhousing, and into the through bore in the supports for securely fixing acircuit board in a generally parallel position with respect to the basewall.

[0020] In the various embodiments of the present invention, one or morecircuit boards can be easily mounted in the housing of a watthour metersocket adapter housing. The circuit board supports can be positioned tosupport the circuit boards exteriorly of a safety shield in the spacebetween the shield and the adjacent sidewall of the housing.Alternately, the circuit board supports may be employed without a shieldand positioned at various locations around the periphery of the sidewallof the housing and/or on the base wall or on the base wall between thesocket adapter jaw contacts for supporting one more circuit boards invarious orientations about the jaw blades without interfering with thefunction of the jaw blades in releasably receiving blade terminals of awatthour meter.

[0021] The present invention also provides a unique snap-in connectionof a circuit board in a socket adapter housing thereby eliminating theneed for separate mechanical fasteners and manufacturing/assemblingoperations necessary to securely fasten the circuit board to the basewall of the socket adapter as in prior socket adapters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The various features, advantages and other uses of the presentinvention will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawing in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view showing one embodiment ofa watthour meter socket adapter according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the watthour meter socket adaptershown in FIG. 1, with the dead front shield portion of the shellremoved;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away, rear, perspective view of theshell of the socket adapter shown in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectioned, side view of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a jaw bladeaccording to the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a partially cross sectioned, perspective view showingthe mounting of the jaw blade depicted in FIG. 5 in a watthour metersocket adapter extender housing constructed according to the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetyshield according to the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of FIG. 7 showingthe jaw contact safety shield mounting aperture and latch projection;

[0031]FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of FIG. 7 showingthe interlocking of the safety shield with the latch projection depictedin FIG. 8;

[0032]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of asafety shield according to present invention;

[0033]FIG. 11 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view showing theinterlocking of the safety shield of FIG. 10 with the socket adapterhousing depicted in FIG. 6;

[0034]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetyshield according to the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 13 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view showing theinterlocking of the safety shield of FIG. 12 in the socket adapterdepicted in FIG. 6;

[0036]FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing afeature of the safety shields shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 12;

[0037]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetyshield according to the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of a safety shield and a surgeconductor shown in FIG. 15;

[0039]FIG. 17 is a partial, lateral, cross-sectional view showing themounting of the safety shield and one surge ground conductor of FIG. 16in the socket adapter shown in FIG. 15;

[0040]FIG. 18 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing theinterconnection of the spring fingers on the surge ground conductor withthe safety shield shown in FIG. 15;

[0041]FIG. 19A is a plan view showing one embodiment of circuit boardmounts in a socket adapter;

[0042]FIG. 19B is a partially cross sectioned view generally taken alongline 19B-19B in FIG. 19A;

[0043]FIG. 20A is a front elevational view of another embodiment of awatthour meter socket adapter housing according to the present inventionwith circuit board mounting means;

[0044]FIG. 20B is a cross sectional view showing a power connectionbetween a blade terminal and a circuit board mounted in the socketadapter of FIG. 20A;

[0045]FIG. 21A is a perspective view of a printed circuit boardmountable in the socket adapter according to the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 21B is a perspective view of a modified printed circuit boardaccording to the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 21C is a perspective view of another embodiment of a printedcircuit board according to the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 22 is a front perspective view showing the mounting of acircuit board and timer in a watthour meter socket adapter;

[0049]FIG. 23 is rear perspective view showing the printed circuit boardand timer mounted in the socket adapter;

[0050]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetyshield according to the present invention usable with a currenttransformer rated watthour meter socket adapter;

[0051]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safetyshield usable in a current transformer rated socket adapter;

[0052]FIG. 26 is a lateral cross-sectional view generally taken alonglines 26-26 in FIG. 25;

[0053]FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the safety shield shown inFIGS. 25 and 26;

[0054]FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of the socket adapter shown inFIG. 25, with the safety shield removed;

[0055]FIG. 29 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of thesocket adapter shown in FIG. 28 depicting the mounting of potential jawcontacts;

[0056]FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the various jaw contacts,blade terminals and jaw blade terminals mounted in the socket adapterdepicted in FIG. 25;

[0057]FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a jaw contact and bladeterminal coupler according to the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the assembled jaw contact andblade terminal coupler of FIG. 31 of the present invention taken from afirst side of the coupler;

[0059]FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the assembled jaw contact andblade terminal coupler of FIG. 31 taken from a second opposite side.

[0060]FIG. 34 is a partially cross sectioned, lateral view showinganother embodiment of the circuit board support according to the presentinvention;

[0061]FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken generally perpendicular tothe view shown in FIG. 34;

[0062]FIG. 36 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the circuitboard support shown in FIGS. 34 and 35;

[0063]FIG. 37 is a front perspective view depicting another circuitboard support according to the present invention;

[0064]FIG. 38 is a lateral, cross-sectional view of the socket adaptershown in FIG. 37;

[0065]FIG. 39 is a lateral, cross-sectional view showing the circuitsupport depicted in FIGS. 37 and 38;

[0066]FIG. 40 is a perspective view depicting another aspect of acircuit board support according to the present invention;

[0067]FIG. 41 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 40, but showing adifferent mounting orientation for a circuit board in a socket adapteraccording to the present invention;

[0068]FIG. 42 is a plan view of a socket adapter with an alternatecircuit board power connection and component mount according to thepresent invention;

[0069]FIG. 43 is a partial, enlarged, perspective view showing theconnection between the circuit board and the jaw blade depicted in FIG.42; and

[0070]FIG. 44 is a side elevational view of the circuit board powerconnection shown in FIGS. 42 and 43.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0071] In order to better describe and appreciate the advantages of thepresent invention, a description of the conventional construction of anelectric watthour meter socket adapter or socket extender/adapter, bothhereafter referred to as a socket adapter, will be provided withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A conventional socket adapter 10 includescontacts designed to receive blade terminals of a conventional electricwatthour meter, not shown, in a releasable connection. The socketadapter 10 includes terminals, described hereafter, which plug intomating contacts in a watthour meter socket. The number of contacts andterminals in the socket adapter 10 will vary depending upon the type ofelectric service at a particular user site, FIG. 1 depicts, by way ofexample only, a single phase electric service.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the socket adapter 10 includesa base portion 12 and a shell portion 14 which are fixedly joinedtogether by suitable means, such as fasteners. The base 12 has a centralwall 16 of generally circular shape. A plurality of generallyrectangular bosses 18 are formed on the central wall 16. Each of thebosses 18 has a slot 20 formed therein which extends completely througheach boss 18 and the central wall 16 to receive a blade terminaltherethrough, as described hereafter. A plurality of cylindrical bosses22 are also formed on and extend outward from one surface of the centralwall 16. Through bores are formed in each boss 22 for receiving afastener to join the shell 14 to the base 12. A plurality of outwardlyextending legs 24 are formed on a back surface of the central wall 16and are provided in an appropriate number and spaced from one of thecontacts or blade terminals which extends through the base 12.

[0073] An annular, raised, inner peripheral edge flange 30 is formed onthe base 12 and extends outward from one surface of the central wall 16.An outer peripheral edge flange 32 is spaced radially outward from theinner flange 30. A plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 34 extendradially between the inner and outer peripheral edge flanges 30 and 32.

[0074] The inner peripheral edge flange 30 includes an annular seat forreceiving a peripheral edge portion of the shell 14 when the shell 14 isengaged with the base 12. The outer peripheral edge flange 32 extendsradially outward from the inner peripheral edge flange 30 and forms amounting flange which mates with the mounting flange on the cover of thewatthour meter socket, not shown. A conventional sealing ring, also notshown, is employed to surround and lockingly join the outer peripheraledge flange 32 to the mounting flange on the meter socket.

[0075] The shell 14 of the socket adapter 10 is formed with a generallyannular sidewall 42. The sidewall 42 terminates in an enlarged diameterexterior end mounting flange 44. The mounting flange 44 is designed tomate with a corresponding mounting flange on a conventional watthourmeter, not shown. A sealing ring, not shown, may be employed toencompass and lockingly connect the mounting flange 44 on the shell 14and the mounting flange on a watthour meter.

[0076] The annular sidewall 42 of the shell 14 has an opposed annularedge 45 spaced from the exterior end mounting flange 44. A generallysolid wall 46 is integrally connected to the sidewall 42 by a pluralityof flanges 43 and is spaced between the exterior mounting flange 44 andthe opposed edge 45. The wall 46 projects above the flanges 43 and actsas a dead front or safety shield covering all of the exposed portions ofthe jaw blades and an optional disconnect switch in a cavity between thebase 12 and the shell 14.

[0077] The wall 46 has a plurality of raised bosses 47, each of whichincludes a slot 48 defining an opening for receiving a blade terminal120 of an electrical device, such as a watthour meter, therethrough asshown in FIG. 11. Each raised boss 47 extends a short distance above thegenerally planar wall 46 and forms a recess or cavity 49 on the backsurface of the wall 46 which receives and locates a jaw blade mounted onthe base 12. Each slot 48 extends across the planar wall 46 and down asidewall connecting the planar wall 46 to one flange 43 to permit easyangular insertion and removal of blade terminals through the slots 48.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 1, at least one and preferably two identicalsurge ground conductors 220 are diametrically mounted opposite eachother on the mounting flange 44 of the shell 14. Each surge groundconductor 220 is removably mounted in one pair of slots in the mountingflange 44 and includes an arcuate wall portion 222 which conforms to theinner diameter of the annular sidewall 42 of the shell 14. The arcuatewall portion 222 has an upper edge 224 and a lower edge 226. A pair ofradially extending tabs 228 are formed on opposite side ends of thearcuate wall portion 222 generally adjacent the upper edge 224. Each tab228 seats in the slots on the mounting flange 44 of the shell 14. Eachtab 228 has an upper edge disposed slightly above the upper edge of themounting flange 44. This places the upper edge of each surge groundconductor 220 at a position to electrically engage a ground terminalmounted on the rear surface of a conventional watthour meter.

[0079] Each surge ground conductor 220, as shown in FIG. 1, has amounting foot or tab 230 connected to the lower edge 226 of the arcuatewall portion 222. The mounting foot 230 has a generally planar shapewith apertures 232 positioned to receive fasteners to secure each surgeground conductor 220 to one of the bosses 22 in the base 12. Eachaperture 232 is formed as a stamped threaded aperture so as to receive athreaded screw without need for a nut.

[0080] FIGS. 1-4 depict a jaw blade 64, 66 and a spring clip 100 whichare depicted as but one example of a jaw contact or jaw blade assemblywhich can be employed in the socket adapter 10. Further detailsconcerning the construction and use of the jaw blade 64, 66 and springclip 100 can be had by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,764, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of load blade terminals 68 and 70 eachcomprise a generally planar member as is conventional in watthour metersand watthour meter socket adapters. One end of each load blade terminal68 and 70 is connected to two internal bus bars within a disconnectswitch 60 shown only by example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Outer ends 69 and71 of the load blade terminals 68 and 70 have a length sufficient toenable the outer ends 69 and 71 to project through the bottom or centralwall 16 of the base 12 exteriorly of the housing of the socket adapter10 for insertion into mating jaw contacts in a watthour meter, notshown.

[0082] It will be understood that the following described load jaw bladestructure may also alternately be employed for the line jaw bladestructure or for both the line and load jaw blade structures in thesocket adapter 10.

[0083] By way of example, each of a pair of load jaw blades 64 and 66,with only load jaw blade 64 being described in detail hereafter,includes a generally planar bus bar 74 which projects angularly andgenerally perpendicularly from the top surface of the housing of aswitch 60. The planar bus bar 74 has an opposed first and second ends 76and 78. Further, flange 80 projects angularly above and outward from thegenerally planar extent of the bus bar 74 to form a blade terminal guideas is conventional in watthour meter socket adapters.

[0084] The opposed load jaw blade 66 is identical to the load jaw blade64, but is formed of a mirror image to form a pair of left and righthand jaw blades 64 and 66. However, the spring clip 100 mounted on theload jaw blade 66 is identical to the spring clip 100 used with jawblade 64.

[0085] A remotely controlled disconnect switch 60, shown in FIGS. 1, 2,and 4 as an option only, is located at the central wall 16 of the base12. The disconnect switch 60 may be any commercially disconnect switchwhich may include an internally movable member and at least one pair ofcontacts which are electrically connected between one of the pair ofline and load jaw blades within the socket adapter 10 and thecorresponding one of the pair of line and load blade terminalsprojecting outwardly from the socket adapter 10 and to certain jawcontacts in a watthour meter socket, not shown. The switch 60 may beremotely actuated by means of signals provided on wires 62 which extendexteriorly of the housing of the socket adapter 10.

[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted yet anotherembodiment of an electrical contact or jaw blade 526. The jaw blade 526has an elongated shape and is particularly suited for use in a socketadapter extender 528 shown in FIG. 6. The socket adapter extender 528 issimilar to the socket adapter 400 described hereafter with severalmodifications. The housing of the socket adapter extender 528 includes agenerally planar base or bottom wall 530 and lower sidewall 532. Thesidewall 532 terminates at a radially outward extending mounting flange534. The mounting flange 534 has an inward extending, annular shelf 536disposed interiorly within the socket adapter extender 528 and anoutwardly extending flange terminating in a depending lip 538 spacedfrom the lower sidewall 532. The lip 538 is positioned for receiving asealing ring to mount the socket adapter extender 528 on a ring-stylesocket adapter cover, not shown. An upper sidewall 539 extends from themounting flange 534 and terminates in a mounting flange.

[0087] The jaw blade 526 has a unitary, one piece construction formed ofa blade terminal end 542 which is offset by an intermediate offset 544from an elongated jaw contact end 546. A blade terminal edge guide 548is formed at one end of the jaw contact end 546.

[0088] A pair of side flanges 550 and 552 project perpendicularly fromopposite side edges of the jaw contact end 546 and extend from an upperend adjacent the blade terminal guide 548 and to an opposite end 554approximate the intermediate offset 544. The second end 554 of each sideflange 550 and 552 seats on the base 530 of the socket adapter extender528 to prevent sideways movement of the jaw blade 526 relative to thebase 530.

[0089] A conventional spring clip 558 is fixedly connected to the jawcontact end 546 by two fasteners, such as rivets, not shown, extendiblethrough apertures 559. The upper end of the spring clip 558 anglesoutwardly to form a mating blade terminal guide 548 on the jaw contactend 546. The end 560 of the spring clip 558 is spaced from the adjacentjaw contact end 546 to define a slot for receiving a watthour meterblade terminal in a conventional manner.

[0090] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, there is depicted a jaw contactsafety shield 580 which is mountable in the socket adapter extender 528.The safety shield 580 is formed of a one piece electrically insulatingmaterial, such as a suitable plastic, and is formed of an enclosurewhich, when the safety shield 580 is mounted in the socket adapterextender 528, completely surrounds all of the line and load jaw bladeswithin the socket adapter extender 528 except for small slots allowingthe insertion of a watthour blade terminal into engagement with eachline and load jaw blade.

[0091] The safety shield 580 includes a top or outer wall 582 and aplurality of sidewalls all denoted by reference number 584. A pluralityof raised bosses 586 are formed in the top wall 582. The bosses 586 arepositioned at the normal jaw contact positions of a watthour metersocket adapter.

[0092] Each boss 586 has an aperture or slot 588 formed therein. Eachslot 588 has a top wall portion 590 extending parallel to the plane ofthe top wall 582 and a contiguous sidewall portion 592 forming acontinuous L-shaped slot along the top wall 582 and the sidewall 584 ofthe safety shield 580. The unique provision of the sidewall slot portion592 simplifies the insertion and removal of a watthour meter into andout of the jaw contacts of the socket adapter extender 528 through thesafety shield 580.

[0093] A peripheral flange 594 extends outward from a lower edge of thesidewall 584 of the safety shield 580. The peripheral flange 594 has apolygonal or square shape, by example only. Other shapes, such asoctagonal, round, etc., may also be employed.

[0094] A plurality of legs 596 project from the peripheral flange 594,generally at each corner of the peripheral flange 594. Each leg 596 hasa generally planar configuration with a notched inner surface 598. Aslot 600 is formed on the outer side of each leg 596 extending from theperipheral flange 594 to an aperture 602 in each leg 596.

[0095] Latch means is provided for releasably latching each leg 596 andthe entire safety shield 580 in the socket adapter extender 528. Thelatch means includes a plurality of apertures 604 formed in the lowersidewall 632 of the extender 528 adjacent to the mounting flange 534 asshown in FIG. 8. A latch projection 606 is unitarily formed with thesidewall 532 and projects outwardly therefrom. The latch projection 606has a flat edge surface 608 for releasable engagement with the aperture602 in each leg 596 as shown in FIG. 9. As the legs 596 of the safetyshield 580 are urged toward each latch projection 606, the outer end ofeach leg 596, which has an angled end surface 610, rides along the latchprojection 606 until the aperture 602 slides over the edge 608 of thelatch projection 606 releasably latching the leg 596 to the housing ofthe extender socket adapter 528. Since the aperture 604 in the sidewall532 opens outwardly underneath the mounting flange 534, the legs 596 ofthe safety shield 580 may be released from the latch projection 606 byforcing a tool, such as a screwdriver, underneath the lower end of eachleg 596 disengaging the leg 596 from the latch projection 606.

[0096] A modified safety shield 620, which is substantially similar tothe safety shield 580 shown in FIG. 7 is depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11.Accordingly, like reference numbers are used to identify like componentsin both of the safety shields 580 and 620.

[0097] In this embodiment, the plurality of legs 622 are also located atthe outer corners of the safety shield 620. Each leg 622 terminates inan outwardly extending latch projection 624 which is positioned toengage an inner lip 626 formed in the sidewall 539 adjacent the mountingflange 532 as shown in FIG. 11 to releasably latch the safety shield 620to the housing of the socket adapter extender 528. The latch projection624 is accessible from the bottom of the mounting 532 and can be urgedradially inward from the mounting flange 532 to disengage the latchprojection 624 from the lip 626 and enable the safety shield 620 to beremoved from the extender 528.

[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is depicted anotherembodiment of a jaw contact safety shield 630 which is particularlysuited for use with a low profile socket adapter, not shown, having ashort height sidewall. Again, since the safety shield 630 is similar tothe safety shields 580 and 620 described above, like components aredepicted by the same reference number. In this embodiment, a pair ofspaced end flanges 632 are formed on opposite portions of the sidewalls584 and project outwardly from the adjacent sidewall 584. Each endflange 632 has a pair of downwardly depending legs 634 extendingtherefrom, each leg 634 terminating in an outwardly extending latchprojection 636. The latch projection 636 on each leg 634 in releasablyinsertable through an aperture in the base and the adjacent ring of asocket adapter in the same manner as the latch projection 624 engages anaperture in the sidewall 539, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0099] As shown in detail in FIG. 13, each latch projection 636 snapsinto engagement with an underlying surface 640 on the sidewall of thesocket adapter housing to releasably mount the safety shield 630 to thehousing. Each latch projection 636 may be released from engagement withthe back surface of the base 637 of the socket adapter by means of asharp tool inserted from behind the base 637.

[0100]FIGS. 12 and 14 depict a unique feature of the safety shields 630,580 and 620. As shown therein, one leg 640 of the boss 586 adjacent tothe slot 588 positioned at the eighth jaw contact position iscantilevered from an outer edge adjacent the sidewall 584. This providesthe cantilevered flange 640 with a freely movable end 642 which enablesthe flange 640 to bend inward about the outer edge in a watthourapplication where a single phase watthour meter has a potential clip atthis position. The potential clip engages the flange 640 and bends itinward about the outer end enabling the watthour meter to properly seatin the socket adapter.

[0101] Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, there is depicted a modification tothe above-described safety shield in which a safety shield 110 ismounted in the socket adapter extender 528 in a unique manner. Further,it will be understood that the safety shield 110 may also be employed inother types of socket adapter housing constructions.

[0102] The safety shield 110 is formed of a one piece, electricallyinsulating material and has a construction which, when mounted in thesocket adapter extender 528, completely surrounds and substantiallyencloses all of the line and load jaw blades within the socket adapterextender 528 except for small slots allowing the insertion of watthourblade terminals into engagement with each line and load jaw blades orcontacts.

[0103] The safety shield 110 includes a top or outer wall 112 and aperipheral sidewall 114 depending therefrom. The top wall 112 and thesidewall 114 are depicted by example only as having a generally squareconfiguration. A pair of opposed outwardly extending side edge flanges116 and 118 project from the lower edges of two opposed sidewalls 114. Apair of laterally extending flanges 120 and 122 project perpendicularlyoutward from opposed sidewalls 114. An outer end of each lateral flange120 and 122 communicates with perpendicular, downward depending sides124 and 126, respectively. The sides 124 and 126 are oriented, when thesafety shield 110 is mounted with the socket adapter extender 528,immediately adjacent to the inner wall of the surge ground conductors128 and 130, respectively.

[0104] A plurality of raised bosses 132 are formed in the top wall 112and are located at the normal jaw contact positions of a watthour metersocket adapter. Each boss 132 has an aperture or slot 134 extendingtherethrough. As described above, the slots 134 extend over the top wall112 and along the sidewall 114 to permit easy, angled insertion and/orremoval of a watthour meter blade terminal into and out of contact witha jaw contact position behind each slot 132.

[0105] A polygonal or rectangular shaped aperture 136 is formed in eachlateral flange 120 and 122 for enabling mounting or access to a currenttransformer shorting switch 121. The aperture 136 can also serve as amounting window for any connector, such as a multi-pin connector, alsonot shown.

[0106] An open space formed between the side edge flanges 116 and 118 ofthe shield 110 and the underlying base wall of the socket adapter 528enables access to a circuit board mounting in the socket adapter and/orfor the passage of conductors from the circuit board to a switch, plug,or connector mounted in the sidewall 539 of the socket adapter.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 15, 17 and 18, at least one and preferably twocircumferentially spaced receivers or bosses 138 and 140 are formed onthe outer edge of each lateral flange 120 and 122 and surround a flat142 shown in FIG. 18. The flat 142 is positioned approximately in linewith one lateral flange 120 and 122. Each boss 138 and 140 and theassociated flat 142 form a radially outward opening cavity 144.

[0108] The surge ground conductors 128 and 130 are identicallyconstructed. The two ground surge conductors 128 and 130 arediametrically mounted opposite each other on the mounting flange 44 ofthe socket adapter extender 528 in a pair of slots 146 formed in themounting flange 44.

[0109] As clearly shown in FIG. 16, each surge ground conductor 128 and130 includes an arcuate wall 148 which conforms to the inner diameter ofthe annular sidewall 539 of the socket adapter extender 528. A pair ofradially extending tabs 150 are formed on an upper edge 152 of eachsurge ground conductor 128 and 130 and seat within one of the slots 146in the mounting flange 44 to support each surge ground conductor 128 and130 from the mounting flange 44 of the socket adaptor extender 528. Theupper edge 152 of each surge ground conductor 128 and 130 overlays aportion of the mounting flange 44 and is in position to electricallyengage a ground terminal mounted on the rear surface of a conventionalwatthour meter.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 16, each surge ground conductor 128 and 130, hasa lower mounting foot 154 which is formed as an extension of the arcuatesidewall 148. The mounting foot 154 has a distal end 156. An aperture158 is formed within the mounting foot 154 and surrounds a tab 160 whichintegrally extends from the end 156. In use, the mounting foot 154 isbent generally perpendicularly outward from the arcuate sidewall 148, ina direction opposed to the radially inward extending direction of thetab 160. This bending movement of the distal end 156 enables themounting foot 154 to slide through an aperture formed in the sidewall539 of the socket adapter extender 538 to secure the surge groundconductor 128 or 130 in position on the sidewall 139 of the socketadapter extender 528.

[0111] According to a unique feature of the present invention, eachsurge ground conductor 128 and 130 is formed with at least one andpreferably two arcuately spaced fingers 162 and 164. Each pair of thespring fingers 162 and 164 has an angularly bent portion projecting awayfrom the surface of the arcuate sidewall 148. Each of the spring fingers162 and 164 is spaced from opposite sides of the arcuate sidewall 148 asshown in FIG. 16. The distal end of each of the spring fingers 162 and164 is positioned to engage the cavity 144 formed by the boss 140 andthe flat 142 in the lateral flanges 120 and 122 of the safety shield 110to securely retain the safety shield 110 in position within the interiorof the socket adapter 110. In this mounting position shown in FIG. 17,the bottom edge of the arcuate sidewalls 148 directly seats on theinterior ring of the socket adapter extender 528. This mountingarrangement eliminates the use of any separate mechanical fasteners tofixedly mount the safety shield 110 within the interior of the socketadapter extender 528. At the same time, the safety shield 110 can beeasily removed by merely urging the distal ends of each of the springfingers 162 and 164 radially outward until the distal ends of eachspring finger 162 and 164 disengage from the flats 132 on the lateralflanges 120 and 122 in the safety shield 110.

[0112] Referring now to FIGS. 19A and B, there is depicted a socketadapter 400 which has means for mounting or supporting auxiliarycomponents, such as generally planar circuit boards 653, adjacent to orpreferably on the base 402. The mounting means comprises at least onepair and, preferably, a plurality of pairs of posts 650 which arearranged in diametrically opposed pairs. Each post 650 is formed at thejuncture of the base 402 and the ring 406 of the socket adapter 400 andextends upward therefrom. A U-shaped channel 652 is formed in each post650. The U-shaped channel 652 in one post is linearly aligned with aU-shaped channel of a post 650 in one adjacent pair of posts 650 asshown in FIG. 20A. This arrangement forms a pair of channels 652adjacent to the inner surface of the sidewall 412 of the socket adapter400.

[0113] Although the peripheral flange 594 of the shield 620 may be cutout or shortened to allow the circuit boards 653 mounted within thepairs of posts 650 to extend upward along side of the sidewall 592 ofthe shield 620, in a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped slot 654, one wallof which is shown in FIG. 11, is integrally formed adjacent to oppositeside edges of each leg 622 of the shield 620 and engages the upper endof a circuit board 653 disposed adjacent to each slot 654. In thismanner, the circuit board 653 is mounted in the posts 650 and the slots654 and is seated against the peripheral flange 594 of the shield 620.

[0114] Also shown in FIG. 19B is a further modification to the socketadapter 400, or more preferably, the socket adapter 528, in which aplurality, such as four or more, of standoffs 656 are mounted on thebase 402 of the socket adapter 400 for securing a circuit board 403 in ahorizontal orientation between the line and load jaw blades 416 and 418.Fasteners 405 are insertable through apertures into the circuit board403 and end bores or a through bore in the standoffs 656.

[0115]FIG. 20A shows a further modification to the socket adapter 400 inwhich the socket adapter 400 is devised for carrying one or more circuitboards 653 at various positions inside of the sidewall 412. AlthoughFIG. 20A depicts the pairs of posts 650 generally arranged in twodiametrically opposed pairs, it will be understood that the embodimentshown in FIG. 20A need not necessarily include such posts 650.

[0116] Auxiliary support members 658, 660 and 662 are provided atvarious locations about the periphery of the sidewall 412 at thejuncture of the sidewall 412 and the base 402. In addition to a mountingfunction, the posts and support members also add strength to thesidewall-base joint of the one piece socket adapter housing.

[0117] The auxiliary support members may take a variety of forms asshown by the different support members 658, 660 and 662. The supportmembers 658, 660 and 662 all include at least one or more U-shaped slots664. The support members 658, 660 and 662 are arranged in opposed pairs,as shown in FIG. 20A, by example only, such that one slot in one supportmember linearly aligns with one slot in an opposed support member. Thepairs of aligned slots are thus capable of supporting opposite edges ofa circuit board 653 oriented perpendicularly with respect to the base402 of the socket adapter 400. This enables many circuit boards 653 tobe housed within the socket adapter 400 between the jaw contact ends ofthe line and load jaw blades 416 and 418. The support members 658, 660and 662 may also be provided outside of the shield 620 to support acircuit board between the sidewall 412 and the sidewall 594 or theshield 620.

[0118] Referring now to FIGS. 34-36, there is depicted another aspect orembodiment of the present invention wherein an alternate circuit boardsupport is depicted. In this embodiment, the mounting means or circuitboard supports are non-interferingly positioned with respect to theelectrical contacts or jaw blades 526 in the socket adapter. By exampleonly, in this embodiment, the circuit board supports are disposedadjacent to the peripheral edge of the base 530 and are arranged inaligned pairs parallel to the jaw blades 526.

[0119] In this embodiment, the circuit board supports include at leastone and, alternately, a plurality of spaced pairs of pins or posts, suchas the opposed pairs of circuit board supports 810 and 812 and the pairof opposed circuit board supports 814, only one of the pairs beingdepicted in FIGS. 35 and 36. Each individual circuit board support ofeach pair of circuit board supports 810, 812, 814, etc., are formed of afirst tubular member 818 and a second pin, post or tubular member 820,both in the form of pins or posts. The opposed circuit board support 812is formed of a similarly arranged tubular members 818 and 820. The posts818 and 820 of each support pair, such as circuit board support pair810, are fixedly mounted on the bottom wall or base 530 of the socketadapter and project angularly upward therefrom, generally perpendicularto the base 530. In one aspect of the present invention, the post 818and 820 are each integrally molded as a unitary one piece part of thebase 530.

[0120] The posts 818 and 820 of each support pair 810, 812 and 814 arespaced apart at a distance suitable for slidably receiving a generallyplanar circuit board 822 in an upright generally perpendicular to thebase 530 as shown in FIGS. 34-36. Each pair of posts 818 and 820 arepositioned generally adjacent the outer side edge 824 of the circuitboard 822.

[0121] Although the tubular members or posts 818 and 820 are depicted asbeing generally cylindrical in shape with a constant cross section ordiameter from one end to the other, it will be understood that each post818 and 820 may have other tubular shapes, such as polygonal with flatsides facing each other, etc. The posts 818 and 820 may also be fixedlyattached to the base or bottom wall 530 of the socket adapter by meansother than integral molding, such as by an adhesive, a fastener, etc.

[0122] The top ends of each of the posts 818 and 820 may be inclinedtoward each other to aid in guiding the insertion of the circuit board822 therebetween.

[0123] For the reasons which will become apparent hereafter, each post818 which is disposed inboard of each support pair 810, 812 and 814, isspaced from the post in the adjacent pair of posts 818 and has a heightextending from the base or bottom wall 530 less than the height of theadjacent post 820.

[0124] In another aspect of the present invention, the circuit boardsupport is provided with a unique snap-in feature for securely mountingeach circuit board 822 in a non-movable position within the housing ofthe socket adapter; while still being able to be easily removed from thesocket adapter for replacement, etc.

[0125] The snap-in feature is provided by an end located tubular member826. The end post or tubular member 826 has, by example only, agenerally cylindrical shape. A top surface 828 inclines downward fromthe outer peripheral portion of the base wall 530 toward the center ofthe base wall 530. This enables the top surface 828 to act as a guideduring insertion of the circuit board 822 between the posts 818 and 820and the end post 826.

[0126] A slot 830 is formed in the top surface 828 opening from the sideof the post 826 adjacent the posts 818 and 820. A small notch, notshown, extending in from the side edge 824 of the circuit board 822snaps into the slot 830 for fixedly mounting the circuit board 822 inthe socket adapter. Outward movement of the top end of the end post 826enables the circuit board 822 to be disengaged from the end post 826 andremoved from the socket adapter.

[0127] Although not necessarily providing a snap-in connection, the pins818, 820 and the end support post 826 may also be configured as a singlesupport member integrally molded with and projecting from the base wall530 of the socket adapter in which the single support member has agenerally U-shape formed of two opposed side legs interconnected at oneend by an end wall. Further, one U-shaped support may be provided ateach opposed end of a single circuit board. Alternately, a singleelongated U-shaped support may be formed integrally with the base wallof the socket adapter with the opposed side legs projecting generallyperpendicularly from the base wall of the socket adapter and the endwall formed as part of the base wall. Such a configuration would supporta circuit board along a lower edge contiguous with the base wall of thesocket adapter.

[0128] A recess 832 is formed in an upright portion of the end post 826closely adjacent to the top surface 828. This forms the top surface 828as a lip which extends outward from an upright leg of the end post 826.

[0129] Referring now to FIGS. 37-39, there is depicted the circuit boardsupports described above and shown in FIGS. 34-36 and formed ofindividual posts 818 and 820 and an intermediately disposed end post 826which also function to support a circuit board 834 within the housing ofthe socket adapter generally parallel to the bottom wall 530 of thesocket adapter.

[0130] In this aspect of the present invention, the shorter innerlength, posts 818 cooperate with the lip formed by the top surface 828of each end post 826 to support an outer edge of the circuit board 834in a snap-in connection. The outer edge of the circuit board 834 issupported on the top end of the shorter, inner post 818 and along oneouter side edge by the higher outer post 820 of each pair of supportmembers 810, 812, etc. The outer edge of the circuit board 824 snapsunder the lip formed below the top surface 828 by urging the top surface828 radially outward from the center of the base wall 530 of the socketadapter until the outer edge of the circuit board 834 can pass freelyunderneath the lip. The lip then snaps back to its normal positiontrapping the outer edge of the circuit board 834.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 37-39, the circuit board 834 is supportedgenerally parallel to the base wall 530 of the socket adapter and islocated between the conventional mounting positions of the line and loadjaw contacts, blade terminals or combined line and load jaw blades 526.

[0132] Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, there is depicted anotheraspect of the auxiliary component mounting means or circuit boardsupports according to the present invention. At least two pairs ofsupport members 870 and 872, with one support member 870 and one supportmember 872 comprising each pair of support members, are mounted on thebase wall 530 of the socket adapter, by suitable means, such as byintegral, unitary molding with the base wall 530 or by means ofmechanical fasteners, such as screws, passing through the base wall 530into the bottom end of each support member 870 and 872.

[0133] Each pair of support members 870 and 872 is coaxially aligned andgenerally disposed between the normal line and load jaw contactpositions in a conventional socket adapter as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.

[0134] The support members 870 and 872 are identically constructed, butreversed 180° from each other in each pair of support members 870 and872. According to one aspect of the present invention, each supportmember 870 and 872 is in the form of a tubular member having a generallycircular cross section sidewall 874 which projects from the base wall530 of the socket adapter housing. The sidewall 874 has a discontinuity876, such as a slot extending along the entire length of the sidewall874. A through bore 878 extends through the entire length of thesidewall 874 and terminates in an open end adjacent the end of thesidewall 874 furthest from the base wall 530 of the socket adapterhousing. While the outer end portion of the bore 878 could be threaded,in a preferred embodiment, the bore 878 is smooth and is capable ofreceiving a fastener, such as self-tapping screw, therein.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 40, each pair of support members 870 and 872 arearranged in coaxial pairs with the slot 876 in support member 870aligned with and facing the slot 876 in the opposed support member 872of each pair of support members. This enables the outer side edges 824of the circuit board 822 to be slidably inserted through the open end ofthe bore 878 in each support member 870 and 872 and into the slots 876in the support members 870 and 872. The dimension of the edges of thesidewalls 874 forming the slot 876 is selected to provide a snug fit forfixedly supporting the circuit board 822 in each pair of support members870 and 872; while still enabling easy insertion and removal of thecircuit board 822 with respect to the support members 870 and 872.

[0136] It will be understood that additional pairs of support members870 and 872 may also be mounted in the socket adapter housing, such ason the base wall 530, at other positions spaced from the positions ofthe support members 870 and 872 shown in FIG. 40.

[0137] Further, the circuit board 822 could be provided with aprojection extending outward from each side edge 824 which releasablyengages a correspondingly formed recess in the sidewall 874 of eachsupport member 870 and 872. This would enable the through bore 878 to beeliminated from each support member 870 and 872 except for a shorterlength bore extending only from the outer end of each support member 870and 872 into the interior of the otherwise solid support member 870 and872.

[0138] Referring now to FIG. 41, there is depicted the use of the pairsof support members 870 and 872 in supporting the circuit board 834 in agenerally parallel position with respect to the base wall 530 of thesocket adapter housing as compared to the generally perpendicularorientation of the circuit board 822 with respect to the base wall 530in FIG. 40.

[0139] The open end of the bore 874 in the support members 870 and 872,which can extend the full length of each support member or only a shortdistance from the outer end of each support member 870 and 872 isalignable with apertures 880 generally positioned adjacent the outercorners of the circuit board 834. This enables a suitable fastener, suchas self-tapping screw, not shown, to be inserted through the apertures880 into the bores 878 in each support member 870 and 872 to securelymount the circuit board 834 in a generally parallel position withrespect to and spaced from the base wall 530 of the socket adapterhousing.

[0140] It will also be understood that a special purpose socket adapterhousing could be developed wherein the support members 870 and 872 havea solid construction with only a short length bore extending from theouter end for receiving fasteners used to fixedly mount the circuitboard 834 in a generally parallel position with respect to the base wall530 of the socket adapter housing. In this specific application, thediscontinuities or slots 876 in each support member 870 and 872 are notrequired.

[0141] However, manufacturing economies can be realized by forming eachsupport member 870 and 872 as shown in FIG. 40 with the open endedthrough bore 878 and the discontinuity or slot 876 in each supportmember 870 and 872 to provide versatility in mounting circuit boards 822and 834 in a variety positions or orientations with respect to the basewall 530 of the socket adapter housing.

[0142] FIGS. 34-39 depict another aspect of the present invention inwhich an electrically conducted tab or arm 840 or 842 is mounted on oneof the circuit boards 822 and 834, respectively, for automaticallycontacting an electrical contact, jaw contact, blade terminal orcombined jaw blade, such as the jaw blade 526 shown in FIGS. 34-39, whenthe circuit board 822 or 834 is inserted into the circuit board supportsin the socket adapter. This enables electrical power to be automaticallyapplied to the components or electrical circuit on the circuit board 822or 834 when the circuit board 822 and 834 is mounted in the housing.This requires that the circuit board supports 810, 812, 814, etc., belocated in the position which enables the circuit board 822 or 834 to bedisposed in close proximity to one of the electrical contacts or jawblades 526. It is also possible with a different mounting position of acircuit board 822 or 834 to use the conductive tab 840 or 842 to providea ground connection to electrical contacts normally mounted in thestandard fifth and sixth contact positions in a watthour meter socketadapter.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 36, the conductive tab 840 has a first end inthe form of a pair of fingers 844 which extend through apertures formedin the circuit board 822. The fingers 844 are soldered or otherwisefixedly mounted to the circuit board 822. A multi-section, intermediateportion 846 extends from a base 848 from which the legs 844 extend andterminates in a first portion 850 extending angularly outward from theplane of the circuit board 822 and an outer end portion 852 whichextends angularly from the first portion 850 back toward the circuitboard 822.

[0144] The conductive tab 840 is formed of a spring or resilientmaterial, such as copper, copper alloy, etc. The angled portions 850 and852 ensure that the conductive tab 840 wipes along the edge 552 of thejaw blade 526 as the circuit board 822 is inserted into the supports 810and 812. The resilient nature of the conductive tab 840 ensures that acontact point or contact edge 854 between the intermediate first portion850 and the end portion 852 is biased or urged toward the side edge 552of the jaw blade 526 for a secure electrical connection.

[0145] The conductive tab 842 in the horizontally position circuit board834 shown in FIGS. 37-39 is identically constructed to the tab 840, buthas a different orientation and mounting on the circuit board 834. Asshown in FIGS. 37-39, the legs 844 extending from the base 848 of theconductive tab 842 overlay a side edge of the circuit board 834 and aresoldered or otherwise electrically connected to conductive traces formedin the circuit board 834 in a conventional manner. The conductive tab842 automatically makes secure electrical contact with the side edge 552of the jaw blade 526 when the circuit board 534 is mounted in thehousing of the socket adapter.

[0146] It should also be noted that the heights of the posts 818, 822and 826 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 34-39 are selected to enablethe circuit board 822 or the circuit board 834, when mounted on therespective supports, to be contained completely within the interior ofone of the safety shields described above. The safety shield thusprovides protection for the components mounted on the circuit boards 822and 834 and prevents any access thereto.

[0147] However, the unique circuit board supports of the presentinvention may also be employed by themselves without a safety shield. Inthis type of construction, the posts 818, 820 and 826 could have alonger length or height extending from the base wall 530. Withappropriate notches and angled edges, multiple circuit boards 834 couldbe oriented in a vertical stack, each parallel to the adjacent circuitboards 834 and the bottom wall 530 of the socket adapter. Further, thecircuit boards 822 and 834 as well as the mounting position of theconductive tabs 840 and 842 on such circuit boards 822 and 834,respectively, can be modified so as to enable the conductive tabs 840 or842 to contact any portion of the adjacent electrical contact used in awatthour meter socket adapter. For example, mounting the conductive tab840 adjacent the uppermost edge of the circuit board 822 spaced farthestfrom the bottom wall 530 of the socket adapter could enable theconductive tab 840 to contact the jaw contact portion of an electricalcontact mounted adjacent to the circuit board 822. Mounting theconductive tab 840 in the position shown in FIG. 35 on the bottom edgeof the circuit board 834 would enable the tab 840 to electricallycontact the blade terminal portion of an electrical contact in awatthour meter socket adapter. Further, either mounting position of theconductive tab 840 could be employed with the coupler describedhereafter and shown in FIGS. 31-33 to enable electrical contact betweenthe components on the circuit board 822 via the conductive tab 840 toeither the jaw contact or blade terminal mounted in the coupler.

[0148] In addition to mounting circuit boards between aligned pairs ofslots along the periphery of the interior sidewall 539 and base 530 ofthe socket adapter extender 528, the support of the present inventionincludes one or more circuit boards mounted between any two bladeterminal apertures. A circuit board 168, shown in FIGS. 21A, 22 and 23,is mounted through the slots 170 and 172 in the base 530 which normallyreceive the fifth and sixth contacts of a watthour meter socket adapter,if present. It will be understood, however, that the circuit board 168could also be mounted between any pair of line and load contactreceiving slots in the socket adapter as described hereafter. The outeredge of the circuit board 168 engages the inner surface of the wall 112of the shield 110 to assist in holding the circuit board 168 in positionwithout the use of separate fasteners.

[0149] As clearly shown in FIG. 21A, the circuit board 168 has aconventional planar circuit board shape with a at least one and,preferably, a pair of depending terminal portions 174 and 176 which aresized to be slidably inserted through the slots 170 and 172 in the base530. Apertures 178 may be formed in each terminal end for receiving acotter pin or other fastener to securely retain the printed circuitboard 168 in position. Electrically conductive pads or terminals 179such as a copper foil pad bonded to the circuit board, are carried onthe legs 174 for connection to an electrical circuit or componentexternal to the socket adapter 528 by a jaw connection, connector,solder or clamp connection.

[0150] The printed circuit board 168 may be used as a mounting surfacefor any electrical, electromechanical or electronic component or circuitwhich is to be mounted in a watthour meter socket adapter.

[0151] In addition to the use of fasteners or cotter pins extendingthrough the aperture 178 in the terminal ends 174 and 176, the circuitboard 168 may also be secured in position by means of an engagement withthe bent tab 160 on each surge ground conductor 128 and 130 shown inFIG. 16. The tabs 160 are designed to slid into arcuate shaped notches121 formed in opposed side edges of the printed circuit board 168 asshown in FIG. 21A.

[0152] In one example of an application or use of the printed circuitboard 168, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a timer 182 is mounted on thecircuit board 168. The timer 182 includes a face plate or dial 184,shown in FIG. 23 which is visible thorough an aperture 186 formed in thebase 530 of the socket adapter extender 528. A time display 188 as wellas individual pushbuttons or switches 190 and 192 are also mounted onthe dial 184 for controlling operation of the timer 182, such as settingthe current time, resetting the time. Event times may also be programmedvia the switches 190. An output signal from the timer 182 at one eventtime may energize one or more relays mounted on the circuit board 168 tocontrol components within the socket adapter extender, such as a powerdisconnect switch, service limiter, etc., to break the circuit betweenthe line and load contacts to shed loads, such as a hot water heater, ata preprogrammed time.

[0153] Referring now to FIG. 21B, there is depicted a modified circuitboard 710. The circuit board 710 can be mounted between any aligned pairof apertures in the base of a socket adapter, such as between the fifthand sixth terminal positions, or between any pair of line and loadterminal positions, or in additional apertures separate from the normalcontact mounting apertures. In this embodiment, the circuit board 710 isprovided with a two pairs of apertures, not shown, located near theupper edge of the circuit board 710. A conventional socket adapter jawcontact 712 is mounted to the circuit board 710 by means of fastenersextendable through apertures in the jaw contact 712 and the apertures inthe circuit board 710. Thus, the jaw contacts 712 can comprise a threefinger jaw contact as shown in FIG. 30, and described hereafter. By wayof example only, the jaw contact 712 comprises a pair of contact clips714 which are mounted on opposite sides of the circuit board 710 in analigned pair. Each of the clips 714 includes apertures alignable withthe apertures in the circuit board 710 for receiving mechanicalfasteners, such as rivets, therethrough to affix the contact clips 714to the circuit board 710. The contact clips 714, on at least one side ofthe circuit board 710, are electrically connected to conductive traces716 conventionally formed in the circuit board 710. A spring clip 718 ismounted on each contact clip 714 and has an end portion which biases thecontacting portions of each contact clip 714 toward the opposed contactclip 714 to provide a secure electrically connection between the contactclip 714 and an inserted electrical terminal.

[0154] The contact clip 714 as well as the spring clip 716 may be formedas a one piece member having a single end portion. Alternately, as shownin FIG. 21B, each contact clip 714 and each spring clip 716 may besoldered to form two end portions. Further, the end portions of eachcontact clip 714 may be provided at different lengths to provide astaggered electrical terminal insertion force.

[0155] As also shown in FIG. 21B, the conductive pads 179 mounted on theterminal end portions 174 and 176 of the circuit board 710 are alsoelectrically connected to conductive traces 720 carried on the circuitboard 710. Any electrical circuit or electrical component may also bemounted on the circuit board 710 and electrically connected to theconductive traces 716 and 720 in a conventional manner.

[0156]FIG. 21C depicts a further modification to the circuit board 710.In this aspect of the invention, each jaw contact clip 724 is mounteddirectly on the circuit board 710 such that the contact fingers of eachcontact clip 724 are spaced from a conductive pad 726, such a copperfoil pad, bonded or otherwise mounted on the circuit board 710. In thisaspect of the invention, each jaw contact clip 724 and opposedconductive pad 726 form a single jaw contact for receiving a bladeterminal therebetween in electrical connection.

[0157] Further, the terminal end portions of the circuit board 710, inthis embodiment, may be formed solely by flat, electrically conductiveplates 728, such as copper-tin plates which are fixedly mounted to thecircuit board 710 by means of fasteners, such as rivets mounted throughaligned apertures in each plate 728 and the lower portion of the circuitboard 710. It is also feasible, in the present invention, to directlyoverlay the conductive plates 728 on the terminal portions 174 and 176extending from the main portion of the printed circuit board 710.

[0158] One or more relays may be mounted on the printed circuit board710, each relay including at least one switchable contact which ismovable between a normally open and a normally closed position. Thecontact terminals can be electrically connected by separate wires orconductors or by means of conductive traces on the circuit board 710between one jaw contact 712 and one plate terminal portion 179 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 21B or between one jaw contact 724, 726 and oneconductive terminal plate 728 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21C. Therelay(s) can serve as a power disconnect or service limiter such that innormal operation, the relay contacts are closed allowing electricalcurrent to flow between one jaw contact and one associated conductiveplate or blade portion. However, when the relay(s) are activated, thecontacts switch positions to an open position thereby opening orbreaking the circuit between each jaw contact and blade terminal pair todisconnect electrical power to the use site.

[0159] The spring arm 840 described above and shown in FIG. 36, forexample, may also be employed on the circuit board 168 having at leastone and preferably a pair of spaced legs extending therefrom andprojectable through aligned apertures formed in the base wall of asocket adapter. Since the circuit board 168 must be positioned ingeneral proximity with one of the socket adapter contacts, additionalapertures are formed in the base wall of the socket adapter toaccommodate the leg(s) of the circuit board.

[0160] The circuit boards described above, such as circuit board 168shown in FIG. 21A by example, are designed for separate stand alone usein a watthour meter socket adapter as well as in conjunction with one ofthe shields described above, such as shield 110 shown in FIG. 15. Whenused with the shield 110, each circuit board 168 has an overall heightfrom a lower edge contacting the base wall of the socket adapter suchthat the opposed edge of the circuit board contacts the inner surface ofthe shield to assist in supporting the circuit board in the desiredposition and orientation within the socket adapter.

[0161] In addition, the groups of support pins 818, 820 and 826described above and shown in FIGS. 34-39, may also be formed as anintegral molded part of one of the shields, such as shield 110. Thisarrangement enables the circuit board to be placed in the shield priorto mounting the entire shield in the socket adapter.

[0162] Referring now to FIG. 24, there is depicted a safety shield 400which is specifically designed for use in a current transformer ratedwatthour meter socket adapter 402. In general, the safety shield 400 issimilar to the safety shield 580 described above and shown in FIG. 7 inthat it includes a top wall 403, a plurality of depending sidewalls 404,and a peripheral flange 406 projecting generally perpendicularly outwardfrom each sidewall 404. A plurality of raised bosses 408 extend upward aslight distance above the surface of the top wall 403 and carryindividual slots 410 opening to the interior of the shield 400 andproviding access to jaw contacts mounted on the base of the socketadapter 402. The top wall 403 is also formed with a plurality oflaterally spaced dividers or walls 412 which form laterally spacedapertures 414 between adjacent dividers 412. Further, in a centrallylocated, raised portion 416, a plurality of laterally spaced slots 418are formed to provide access to current transformed rated jaw contactsmounted within the socket adapter 402, as described hereafter.

[0163] The safety shield 400 may be securely or fixedly mounted to thesocket adapter 402 by any of the mounting or latch means described abovefor the safety shields 580 and 620.

[0164]FIGS. 25 and 26 depict a modified safety shield 420 which issimilar to the safety shield 400 in that it includes raised bosses 408extending from a top wall 403, slots 410 formed in each boss 408, spaceddividers 412 forming laterally spaced apertures 414, and a raisedportion 416 carrying laterally spaced slots 418. However, in thisembodiment, the top wall 403 has a greater lateral extent so as toclosely conform to the inner sidewall of the socket adapter 402. Apolygonal shaped aperture 422 is formed along one lateral side edge ofthe top wall 403 for receiving a current transformer shorting switch, orelectrical pin connector, not shown.

[0165] Opposed pairs of raised bosses 424 formed along lateral opposedside edges of the top wall 403 and form recesses designed to receivespring fingers 162 and 164 on the surge ground conductors 128 and 130 inthe same manner as described above and shown in FIGS. 15-18. In thismanner, the spring fingers 162 and 164 on the surge ground conductors128 and 130 fixedly, yet releasably mount the safety shield 420 withinthe interior of the socket adapter 402.

[0166] The safety shield 420 is formed with a pair of spaced arcuatesidewalls 428 and 430 which are diametrically opposed on opposite sidesof the safety shield 420. The arcuate sidewalls 428 and 430 are disposedadjacent to the arcuate wall portions 148 of the surge ground conductors128 and 130.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 27 which depicts a rear or bottom view of thesafety shield 420, a rectangular frame 432 formed of four interconnectedsidewalls projects from the rear surface of the top wall 403 of thesafety shield 420. The dividers 412 extend from the top to the bottom ofthe frame 432 and between opposed elongated sidewalls of the frame 432.The frame 432 and spaced dividers 412 form a plurality of pairs ofcavities, including the cavities 414 opening through the top wall 403 ofthe safety shield 420 and a plurality of interior cavities 434 openingto the slots 428 in the top wall 403 and defining a jaw contact mountingarea.

[0168] The frame 432 also includes a first laterally extending wall 436,a spaced second laterally extending wall 438 and a plurality ofintermediate short walls 440 which extend between each of the dividers412. An enlargement 442 having a tapered or angled edge 444 on one sidethereof facing the cavity in the frame 432 opening to the slots 418. Theangled or tapered surface 444 acts as a guide for urging the potentialjaw contacts into the proper location within the cavity in the frame 432into alignment with the slot 418 so as to be positioned to receive ablade terminal of a watthour meter inserted through the slot 418.

[0169]FIGS. 28 and 29 depict interior views of the socket adapter 402,with the shield 400 removed. As shown in FIG. 28, the socket adapter 402includes the generally planar base 450 and an annular sidewall 452projecting therefrom. A plurality of line and load watthour meter bladeterminal receiving slots 454 are formed in the base 450 at the normalwatthour meter blade terminal positions. In order to support auxiliaryelectrical contacts on the base 450, a plurality of posts 456 areintegrally formed with the base 450 and project generallyperpendicularly therefrom. The posts 456 are disposed between the lineand load jaw blade receiving slots 454. The posts 456 have a generallysquare cross section extending from a common lower portion 458 and arelaterally spaced across the base 450.

[0170] An aperture 460 is formed in the top end of each post 456 forreceiving a fastener or screw as described hereafter. Also, a notch 462is formed in the outer end of each post 456 and has a configuration forreceiving a planar flange on an electrical contact as describedhereafter.

[0171] A barrier 464 is also formed on the base 450 and is spaced fromthe posts 456. The barrier 464 also extends laterally across the base450 and has a plurality of laterally spaced recesses 466 which dividethe barrier into a plurality of walls 468. Each wall 468 has a top edge470 and a stepped recess formed on one side facing the posts 456. Therecess is formed with a first shallow notch 472 and a second, adjacent,deeper notch 474.

[0172] A pad 476 is formed on the base 450 of the socket adapter 402 andextends between one post 456 and one wall 468. A generally rectangularslot 478 is formed between two adjacent pads 476. The slots 478 openthrough the base 450 of the socket adapter 402 and are sized to receiveone end of a conventional blade terminal, as described hereafter.

[0173] Although each of the safety shields 110, 400 420, 580, 620 and630 have been described above as being releasably mountable in awatthour meter socket adapter housing by a snap-in connection, it willbe understood that each safety shield, instead of the snap-inconnection, or in combination with the snap-in connection, may be morefixedly mounted in the housing of a socket adapter by applying adhesivebetween adjoining portions of each safety shield and adjacent wallsurfaces of the socket adapter housing, or the wall portion 148 of thesurge ground conductor 128 shown in FIG. 17. While referring briefly toFIG. 17, adhesive can also be applied to the bottom edge of the safetyshield 110 and the upper surface of the ring or collar formed on theinner surface of the sidewall 539 of the socket adapter 528.

[0174] Before describing mounting of the electrical contacts on theposts 456 and walls 468, a brief description of the construction ofseveral configurations of electrical contacts will be provided.

[0175] One embodiment of an electrical contact 480 is shown in FIGS. 29and 30. The electrical contacts 480 are identical to the three fingerjaw contacts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,300, assigned to theAssignee of the present invention, the entire contents of whichpertaining to the three finger contact construction are incorporatedherein by reference.

[0176] In general, each contact 480 has a three finger jaw-type contactdesign formed of first and second outer legs 482 and 484 which extendlinearly from a generally planar base 486. Each of the legs 482 and 484terminates in a angularly bent outer end portion, both of which extendin the same direction to one side of the base 486. An intermediate leg488 is disposed between the outer legs 482 and 484 and has a generallycurved shape extending from the base 486 to an opposite side of the base486 from the outer ends of the outer legs 482 and 484. The outer ends ofthe intermediate leg 488 also curves or bends outward from one side ofthe base 486 to form, in conjunction with the legs 482 and 484, a jawcontact which receives a blade terminal extending outward from the baseof a watthour meter, not shown.

[0177] A wire crimp collar 490 formed of two angularly disposed,bendable flanges, extends from one end of the base 486. The two flangesof wire crimp collar 490 are bendable into registry with one end of anexternal conductor, not shown, to electrically connect one end of theexternal conductor to the contact 480. Alternately, solder may be usedto connect the external conductor to the flanges of the wire crimpcollar 490.

[0178] A support flange 492 is formed contiguous with the base 486 andextends generally perpendicularly from an opposite end of the base 486.A threaded aperture 494 is formed in the support flange 492 and isalignable with the aperture 460 on the top edge of one post 456. A screwfastener, not shown, threadingly engages the aperture 494 on the supportflange 492 and the aperture 460 in the post 456 to fixedly mount the jawcontact 480 on the base 450 of the socket adapter 402. An externalconductor, not shown, may also be connected to the support flange 492 byconnecting the external conductor to the screw fastener extendingthrough the aperture 494 in the support flange 492. A washer may beinterposed between the head of the screw fastener in the support flange492 for secure electrical engagement of the external conductor with thesupport flange 492.

[0179] Finally, a mounting tab 496 extends perpendicularly from an outerend of the support flange 492. The mounting tab 496 provides a separateconnection to another external electrical conductor, not shown, such asa conventional fast-on or quick connector which is fixedly attached toone end of an electrical conductor and slidable engaged over acomplimentary formed mounting tab 496 to connect the external conductorto the contact 480.

[0180] Referring again to FIGS. 29 and 30, one jaw contact 480 ismounted on one aligned pair of a post 456 and a wall 468. One end of thebase 486 projecting downward from the wire crimp collar 490 is seated inthe deeper notch 474 in the wall 468. Since the notch 474 extends only ashort distance along the wall 468 from the top edge 470, one end of thecontact 480 is located such that the wire crimp collar 490 seats on thetop edge 470 of the wall 468 and the support flange 492 rests on the topedge of the post 456, with the end portion of the base 486 seated withinthe notch 462 in the post 456.

[0181] A planar blade terminal 500 is associated with the contact 480.The blade terminal 500 has a generally planar extent with intermediateshoulders 502 designed to seat on the base 450 of the socket adapter402, with the lower portion of the blade terminal 500 extending throughone slot 478 in the base 450. The blade terminal 500 is secured inposition within the socket adapter 402 by means of a cotter pin, notshown.

[0182] Referring briefly to FIGS. 24-27, when the contact 480 is in themounting position shown in FIG. 29, the legs 482, 484 and 486 definingthe contact itself are aligned with one slot 418 in the shield 400thereby allowing a blade terminal from the watthour meter to be insertedthrough the slot 418 in the safety shield 400 into contact with the jawcontact legs 482, 484, and 486. At the same time, the support flange 492as well as the fast-on tab 496 are accessible through the aperture 418in the shield 400 to allow electrical connections with externalelectrical conductors.

[0183] Referring again to FIGS. 29 and 30, there is depicted anotherembodiment of an electrical contact or blade terminal 504 which can bemounted in the socket adapter 402. The jaw blade terminal 504 has aone-piece construction which combines the three finger jaw contactstructure of the jaw contact 480 with an integral blade terminal similarto the separate blade terminal 500. The three legs 482, 484, and 486 areshown in FIG. 30 at one end of the elongated, planar bar 506 which ispart of the jaw blade terminal 504. Shoulders 502 are formed adjacentthe blade terminal end of the jaw blade terminal 502 and seat on raisedportions 508 extending between adjacent tabs 476 on the base 450 of thesocket adapter 402. One side edge of the upper portion of the planar bar506 seat in the shallow notch 472 on the wall 468. The opposite sideedge of the upper portion of the planar bar 506 rests against thesidewall of a post 456 to position the jaw contact 504 between one post456 and one wall 468 and to enable the jaw contact end of the jaw bladeterminal 504 to be positioned below and accessible through one slot 418in the shield 400 as shown in FIG. 26.

[0184] Finally, a coupler 750 is depicted in FIGS. 31-33 for joining anelectrical contact 752 with a planar blade terminal 752 into a unitaryconstruction which may be mounted as a unitary jaw blade terminal in thesocket adapter 402 in the same manner as the jaw blade terminal 504. Thecoupler 750 is formed of an electrically insulating material, such as aplastic, to electrically isolate the jaw contact 752 from the bladeterminal 754.

[0185] The jaw contact 752 is a modified version of jaw contact 480 andis essentially the same as the jaw contact 480 except that jaw contact752 does not include the support flange 492 and fast-on tab 496. Forconvenience, the three legs 482, 484 and 488 forming the jaw portion ofthe jaw contact 752 are given the same reference numbers as thecorresponding legs in the jaw contact 480. Likewise, a wire crimp collar490 projects from one end of a base 496.

[0186] The coupler 750 is exemplary formed as a one piece, unitary bodyhaving a first elongated sidewall 756, and an opposed shorter sidewall758 which are interconnected by upper and lower center walls 760 and762, respectively, which are spaced apart along the length of thesidewalls 758 and 760.

[0187] The upper center wall 760 has a generally U-shape formed of acenter portion 764 which is offset or spaced from a pair of base flanges766 and 768 projecting from the sidewalls 756 and 758, respectively, aswell as a pair of side flanges 770 and 772 which also project from thesidewalls 756 and 758, respectively, to form a slot which receives thebase 486 of the jaw contact 752. The base flanges 766 and 768, the sideflanges 770 and 772 as well as the center portion 764 of the uppercenter wall 760 interact along with a slot 778 formed between a pair ofspaced projections in the upper end of the sidewall 756 to securelysupport the jaw contact 752 in the coupler 750. The slot 778 engages anoutwardly projecting side edge 780 on the leg 482 of the jaw contact752.

[0188] The jaw contact 752 is also retained in place in the coupler 50by means of a projection 782 which is formed on one end of acantilevered, resilient arm 784 which projects from one end of thecenter wall 764 into an opening formed in the center portion 764 asshown in FIG. 31. The projection 782 engages an aperture 785 in the base486 of the jaw contact 752.

[0189] The lower center wall 762 is spaced from inwardly projecting sideflanges 788 and 790 formed on one end of the sidewalls 756 and 758,respectively, to form openings which slidably receive the planar bladeterminal 754 therein. A pair of raised dimples 792 spaced from one endof the blade terminal 754 snap over the center wall 762 of the coupler750 to slidably trap the blade terminal 754 between an upper edge of thelower center wall 762 and inwardly facing projections on the sidewalls756 and 758. A cotter pin or other fastener may be inserted through anaperture 794 in the blade terminal 754 to more securely retain the bladeterminal 754 in the coupler 750.

[0190] Referring briefly to FIGS. 27 and 31-33, a plurality of U-shapedchannels 796 project from the back surface of the top wall 403 of thesafety shield 420. The U-shaped channels 796 are formed adjacent to onelateral leg of the frame 432 at one end of certain slots 410 in thesafety shield 420. The U-shaped channels slidably receive the upper end798 of the sidewall 756 of the coupler 750 to accurately mount thecoupler 750 with respect to one slot 410 in the safety shield 420.

[0191] Referring now to FIGS. 42-44, there is depicted yet anotheraspect of the present invention for mounting a circuit board 900 in thesocket adapter housing with electrical connections on the circuit board900 receiving electrical power from one of the line jaw blades, such asjaw blade 526.

[0192] In this aspect in the invention, the circuit board 900 isprovided with at least one electrically conductive pad or terminal 902on one or both surfaces of the circuit board 900. The conductive pad 902is positioned on the circuit board 900 so as to electrically engage theflange 550 or 552 of the jaw blade 526. The pad 902 and the flange 550or 552 are biased together in secure electrical contact by a mountingjaw 904 having opposed spring jaw portions 906 which is normallydisposed on opposite sides of the mounting flange 552 of the jaw blade526, and a central base portion 908 engaged with the end surface 554 ofthe mounting flange 552 as shown in FIG. 44. Alternately, a pad, notshown, can be mounted on the opposed surface of the circuit board 900and engaged by one spring jaw 906. In this manner, the mounting jaw 904completes an electrical circuit between the line jaw blade 526 and theconductive pad 902 on the circuit board 900 to provide electrical powerto the electrical circuits and components mounted on the circuit board900.

[0193] Although the circuit board 900 could be mounted only in one ortwo or more spaced mounting jaws 904 attached to each of the line bladejaws 526, as shown in FIG. 42, the outer lateral ends of the circuitboard 900 are formed with a notch 903 which overlays the top end of twoopposed posts 650 formed in the socket adapter housing 400. Outer edgesof the circuit board 900 fit within the U-shaped channel 652 in eachpost 650 to add lateral support to the circuit board 900 in combinationwith the mounting jaws 904.

[0194] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG. 42wherein an electrical component 920, such as a relay, timer, circuitbreaker, telephone modem, etc., is directly mounted in one of thesupports in the socket adapter housing 400. As shown in FIG. 42, a pairof outwardly extending flanges 922 and 924 are integrally formed withthe housing of the component 920 or as an attachment in the form of oneor more flanges or ends of a plate securely fixed to the housing of theelectrical component 920. The flanges 922 and 924 extend outward fromopposite side walls of the housing of the electrical component 920 andare sized to slideably fit within opposed channels 652 in opposed posts650 in the socket adapter 400. This provides slide in support of theelectrical component 920 without the need for mechanical fasteners.Further, the operative connections or attachments to the electricalcomponent, such as the plurality of terminals 926, can be located in aneasily accessible position in the socket adapter housing 400 forconnection to other electrical components, circuit boards, jaw blades,etc., within the socket adapter housing 400.

[0195] In summary, there has been disclosed a unique circuit boardmounting arrangement for supporting one or more circuit boards withinthe housing of a watthour meter socket adapter. The various embodimentsof the circuit board supports provide versatility in mounting circuitboards at a number of different locations within the socket adapterwithout interfering with the function of the electrical contacts or jawblades mounted in a socket adapter. Further, unique connections oraccess to electrical components mounted on the circuit board is providedas well as automatic connection to one of the contacts in the socketadapter to complete a circuit between the socket adapter contact and thecircuitry or components carried on the circuit board.

What is claimed is:
 1. A watthour meter socket adapter including ahousing having a base wall and a sidewall extending from the base wall,the socket adapter comprising: a support carried in the housing forsupporting a circuit board in the housing, the support including: atleast one support carried on the base wall and projecting therefrom, thesupport having spaced, opposed portions adapted to receive a portion ofa circuit board therebetween to support the circuit board in asubstantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the base wall.2. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein the supportcomprises: two pairs of supports carried on and projecting from the basewall, each pair of supports formed of first and second support membersspaced apart and adapted to receive a portion of a circuit boardtherebetween.
 3. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 2 whereineach support member is in the form of a tubular member.
 4. The watthourmeter socket adapter of claim 3 wherein the tubular member defines apost having an end spaced from the base wall of the housing.
 5. Thewatthour meter socket adapter of claim 2 wherein: each of the first andsecond support members are unitarily formed as a one piece part of thehousing.
 6. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 2 furthercomprising: an end support member disposed adjacent each of the firstand second support members, the end support member adapted to engage anend edge of a circuit board.
 7. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 6 wherein the end support member comprises: an elongated postprojecting from the base wall of the housing; a top surface of the postinclined from a first outermost end contiguous with the post to an innerend projecting outward from the post to define a recess between an innerend of the top surface and the post; and the top surface adapted toengage an end edge of a circuit board in a snap-together connection. 8.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 7 further comprising: a slotformed in the top surface of the end support member and having an openend contiguous with the inner end of the top surface, the slot adaptedto receive an end portion of a circuit board.
 9. The watthour metersocket adapter of claim 6 wherein: the end support member is adapted toengage an end edge of a circuit board in a snap together connection. 10.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 6 wherein: the end supportmember is adapted to engage a notch formed in a side edge of a circuitboard to fixedly mount the circuit board on the base wall in a snaptogether, releasable connection.
 11. The watthour meter socket adapterof claim 2 wherein: the two pairs of supports comprise four pairs ofsupports spaced apart on the base wall of the housing and arranged in apolygonal configuration; each pair of supports including an innermostsupport member and an outermost support member; the innermost supportmember of each pair of supports having an outer end spaced from the basewall a shorter distance than an outer end of the outermost supportmember of the respective pair of supports; and a circuit board supportedon the outer end of each of the innermost support members in a generallyparallel orientation with respect to the base wall of the housing. 12.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 11 further comprising: an endsupport member disposed adjacent each of the pairs of supports, the endsupport member engaging an end edge of a circuit board supported betweenthe pair of support members.
 13. The watthour meter socket adapter ofclaim 12 further comprising: the recess in the end support memberreceiving one edge of a circuit board.
 14. The watthour meter socketadapter of claim 13 wherein the end support member comprises: anelongated post projecting from the base wall of the housing; a topsurface of the post inclined from a first outermost end contiguous withthe post to an inner end projecting outward from the post to define arecess between the inner end of the top surface and the post; and thetop surface engaged with an end edge of a circuit board in asnap-together connection.
 15. The watthour meter socket adapter of claim13 wherein: the first and second support members and the end supportmember cooperate to non-movably mount a circuit board in a substantiallyparallel orientation with respect to the base wall of the housing. 16.The watthour meter socket adapter of claim 1 wherein: the at least onesupport is unitary with the base wall of the housing.